Worked on my friend's DeSoto yesterday and today trying to get the starter to work for the hemi engine. It keeps breaking things. The first part to go was the cone-shaped nose cone....snapped right off. Some ***** elongated the mounting holes and altered the cone and created a weak spot. We got a "new" cone and installed it. Got the beast fired up and the gas ran out. Tried to start it again and the starter shaft broke. Tried to refit a starter shaft, but found that the "new" shaft was larger. End of workday for the DeSoto. Anyone know what might cause this? It has a Cragar bellhousing.
Sounds like clearance problems. OEM starter? modern BB or SB starter? Stick? On a modern 727 with adaptor I had to grind on one of the ribs a bit for clearance. Nose mightn be too long for that matter.
I'll claim to be old and forgetful and ask you to give us a list (again) of exactly what is in the 'parts pile', ie, what year-make-model is the 'oem starter'? I don't think I've ever found a broken starter shaft before. .
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